Commissioner Estevan Lòpez of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced in early February that an additional $23 million will be allocated for water reuse and efficiency projects across the U.S. this year. Several of the initiatives to receive increased funding will include $9 million to both the Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program and the WaterSMART Grants, and $5 million will help support water recycling as part of California’s Central Valley Project.[1]

Increased funding for the Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program will help investigate water reclamation and wastewater reuse opportunities in 17 western states and Hawaii that are identified as having naturally impaired ground and surface waters. California’s Central Valley Project serves to protect against crippling water shortages with almost 60% of its total funding used for crop irrigation through water recycling and reuse.[2] The WaterSMART grant will provide cost-shared funding for projects focusing on water and energy efficiency.[3] The Bureau of Reclamation, through the WaterSMART grant program, shares 50% of the costs with water authorities seeking to use water more efficiently. [4]

This announcement comes only two months after the WateReuse Association (WRA) and seven other water agencies wrote a joint letter to the Bureau requesting increased funding for water reuse projects. WRA Executive Director Melissa Meeker responded saying, “We are so pleased that the Bureau of Reclamation continues to see water reuse, conservation and efficiency as priorities. We applaud their ongoing support of sustainable systems.”[1]